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Thursday, December 01, 2016

Extra Skinny: It's Been 4 1/2 years since an Isles Last-Minute Win

Wins in the NHL are hard to come by.

Wins that come by scoring the lead goal in the final minute of regulation even more so.

While the Isles have given up a slew of late goals this season, only one (Patrick Marelau on Friday) was a last-minute tally in regulation. Anders Lee's deflection Wednesday night gave the Isles one of their own.

It is the first time since April 5, 2012 -- the final home game of that season -- that the Isles have scored the winning goal in the final 60 seconds of regulation. That night, Michael Grabner, who earlier in the period had scored on a penalty shot, scored with 47 seconds to play to give the Isles a 5-4 victory over Winnipeg. (Thanks Elias Sports Bureau)

Prior to the Marleau winner on Friday, the last time the Isles had lost a game in the last minute had come in a game that Lee had TIED in the last minute. On April 7, 2015, Lee scored with 28 seconds to play to tie the Flyers, only to have Brayden Schenn score the winner at 19:57 of the third.

Lee has had a penchant for late game magic. Last night was the 4th time since the start of the 2014-15 season that he has scored a goal in the final minute of regulation that either tied or won the game:

3/3/15 -- 19:58, tied Dallas 2-2 (Lost 3-2 in OT)

4/7/15 -- 19:32, tied Philly 4-4. (Lost 5-4)

3/3/16 -- 19:31, tied Winnipeg 3-3. (Won 4-3 in OT on an Okposo goal)

12/1/16-- 19:33 winning goal vs Pittsburgh (won 5-3)

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick